What
is an INFJ?
INFJ (referred
to by Keirsey as the "Counsellor") is one of the 16 basic
personality types in the MBTI™
(Myers-Briggs Type Indicator™) personality model. The letters I,N,F
and J stand for Introverted INtuitive Feeling Judging,
which indicate our preferences in each of the four areas of function.
INFJness
Here is
a list of INFJ character traits; these may not necessarily apply to
all INFJs.
INFJs:
- value personal integrity
and "being true to yourself"
- are on a lifelong
search for a unique identity and meaning; spirituality is important
to us
- can be hard to get
to know, depending on the other person (reciprocity)
- are sometimes seen
by others as cold and hard on the outside
- can be difficult
to "peg"; sometimes INFJs may not even recognise fellow
members of their own type
- may find it easier
to express their deepest feelings and sentiments non-verbally or in
writing
- abhor evil or injustice,
especially that directed towards the innocent or helpless
- are sometimes looked
upon by others as naive, mostly due to our idealism
- can be quite gullible;
many INFJs build up a protective armour over the years to protect
against this and being "used" by others
- enjoy thoughtful
discussion but dislike arguing for argument's sake, as this often
degenerates into ugly conflict
- are bookworms, love
bookstores and libraries
- are affiliative;
get stressed and cannot survive for extended periods without company
- rarely get into conflict,
but when it erupts, can be very bitter
- aren't terribly career-minded
- love personality
tests and other self-improvement tools
- love quotes/quotations
and are often "philosophers" or "theologists"
;)
- need to confide in
others and express opinions and feelings about others: Fe-ing (Feeling
extraverted)
- are "Directors"
who give advice, though usually more subtly than most other Directors.
- are interested in
ESP, paranormal, "new age," or psychic experiences
- "Mute withdrawal
is a major INFJ defense."
- often have "oceanic"
memories where details are recalled through intuitive leaps and thought
association
See this article on
INFJ Characteristics by Aisys.
Be sure to visit the
Member Quotes page for some interesting,
sometimes humorous views on the INFJ perspective.
Dolphins
David Keirsey proposes
the Dolphin as the totem animal for NFs. INFJs are dolphins. Dolphins
use their powerful and complex sonar system to navigate and feel their
way through this world. Their sonar is very dependable, but sometimes
interference - from both outside and within - plays havoc with their
sensors, and they receive scrambled signals. Sonar is the dolphin's
life-force.
Dolphins are affiliative
creatures, and mate for life.
Sharks are the dolphin's
natural enemies. But dolphins can take out the sharks by swimming underneath
them and knocking them out.
Warm
fuzzy teddybear theory
This is a theory devised
by some INFJs on the "warm fuzzy teddybear" feel that surrounds
some of the introverted intuitives. This is how others see the INs:
| INFJ
- cold on outside, warm and fuzzy on the inside |
| INFP
- warm and fuzzy inside and out |
| INTP
- warm on the outside, hard as a rock inside |
| INTJ
- cold and hard inside and out |
It's worth mentioning
since these observations seem to carry merit, but of course you have
to remember that this theory doesn't necessarily apply to all or even
most INs.
"Come
to the edge, he said,
They said: We are afraid
Come to the edge, he said.
They came,
He pushed them,
and they flew."
Guillaume Apollinaire
|